Fr Deacon Justin Venn

Father Deacon Justin VENN started painting as a child, completing school in Johannesburg with a distinction in fine art. He later dedicated himself fully to the art of Byzantine iconography, travelling to France to study for a time under the tutelage of the Atelier St Jean Damascene, before moving to the Orthodox Monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God at La Faurie, France. Here, with several of the monastic brothers, Fr Justin furthered his studies in the traditional technique, theory and spirituality of Christian iconography.

Upon his return to South Africa, Fr Justin – a deacon in the Orthodox Church – began painting full-time, mostly under commission from the Greek Orthodox community, as well as teaching regular classes. His work can now be found in several churches and homes in South Africa, France, Switzerland, Holland and Italy.